To be in the spotlight as a Kenyan female celebrity, one needs a lot of courage, confidence and persistence. Although it can be quite difficult to have it all, women celebrities in Kenya have proved it possible by pursuing full-time careers while playing an active role as a mother and also as a wife. This article focuses on some of these prominent women.
Esther Akoth
Famously known as Akothee, Esther Akoth is a proud mother of five children(two sons and three daughters). Her first three daughtersVesha Shalian Okello, Celine Dion Okello and Prudence Apundo are from her first marriage. The 40-year-old mother from a humble background has been through a lot; including getting into an early marriage, doing mediocre jobs and losing three of her children.
However, this did not stop her from pursuing her music career and securing her spot in the “Kenyan wall of fame”. She is now one of the most popular and wealthiest celebrities across East Africa. She has been able to build her brand as a singer and businesswoman all while taking care of her children as a single mum.
Lulu Hassan
Lulu Khadija Hassan is not a stranger to anyone who watches common television in Kenya. She started as a media presenter to a local radio station and later moved on to Royal Media Services. Within her professional career, she met Rashid Abdalla with whom she got married and had three children.
Currently, she is the host of the Nipashe Wikendi news bulletin in Citizen TV with her husband Rashid. The bulletin is aired on Saturday and Sunday in Swahili. The outstanding couple is also the director of the famous show Maria that airs on Citizen TV. It is clearly seen that fans have embraced Maria to which Lulu Hassan appreciates.
Size 8
Linet Munyali popularly known as Size 8 is a Kenyan singer and an actress. She is married to Samuel Muraya commonly known as DJ Mo and they have one daughter-Ladasha Muraya. Size 8 rose to fame as a singer and also acted in the small film Mashtaka. In 2018, she got married and still continued with her singing career.
Size 8 has also appeared in several TV shows and commercials that contributed to her fame. She now has a show on NTV known as ‘the Murayas’. This exceptional lady has excelled greatly in her career and her role as a mother.
Julie Gichuru
Julie Gichuru is popularly known as a media personality and a business entrepreneur. This mother of five is married to Robert Gichuru. Over the years, Julie Gichuru has gained people’s interest by pioneering in investigative television and programming on current affairs. She has won miscellaneous awards and recognitions such as the Martin Luther King Salute to Greatness.
Her other achievements include establishing the Great Debaters Contest in secondary schools, creating forums that drove African leadership conversations and working with global organizations. On screens, she appears as one of the most influential women, a hardworking mother and a wonderful wife to her husband.
Wahu Kagwi
Rosemary Wahu rose to fame as a Kenyan singer, actress and entrepreneur. She is also a former fashion model. The 40-year-old mother appeared into the music industry after producing her first single ”Niangalie” which paved way for her success. She is married to award-winning artist Nameless with whom she has two children.
Wahu has received many musical awards and continuously remained in the spotlight for many years. She obtained a Kisima award in 2008 for the song “sweet love” which she had dedicated to one of her daughters.
